Posts from 2023
Uncle Arnold Comes Home
On Sabbath the 25th of November, it was our privilege and delight to welcome Br. Arnold Matthies back into church membership, after nearly 60 years. Br. Arnold was a church worker in the 1950s and 60s. Originally from Christchurch, NZ, Arnold’s family moved to Australia. He attended Hebron Missionary College and entered the work. The minutes of the Victorian Field in 1955 record the anticipation of the brethren for him and his wife Gwenda to move to Melbourne. There he…
In Loving Memory – John and Sandra Gibbons
Harold John Gibbons was born on the 3rd of December, 1936, in Lake Cargelligo, NSW. John grew up on the family farm, living through droughts, floods, dust storms and mouse plagues. He learned resilience and resourcefulness, which meant he always loved fixing things and making things. At age 21, while working in Papua New Guinea, John became ill with polio and had to return to Australia to recover. Although doctors said he would never walk again, John was determined to…
SA Asylum Seeker Family Update
Your prayers and generosity have been rewarded! Our Sri Lankan asylum seeker family were reunited when their husband and father was released from detention, after eight long years of separation. They are grateful for all the support you have given through the years to help with the case. Even when it looked like all hope was lost, your prayers and gifts to their legal fund made the difference. The years of battling along without her husband were difficult for the…
SA Community Programs
The Optimize Your Brain six-week program was held in SA from 10th June to 15th July, 2023. The series was followed by cooking classes. It was a real blessing for those who attended the program. During this series we covered different topics, such as: The Optimize Your Brain program was created to maximise intellectual and emotional intelligence. We praise God for the opportunity and privilege He gives us to learn how to improve our health and brain function to better serve Him. We believe it…
Canvassing in Auckland
From April 22-24, about 40 people attended a canvassing weekend held at our church in Auckland, New Zealand. The following Monday, some of the brethren spent their time canvassing in New Lynn around the church. Most of the participants had never been canvassing before and found it to be a blessed experience. First, they attended some presentations and a missionary training class. They were sent out in pairs to put canvassing into action, where book packs, pamphlets and magazine-style books…
Shoebox Project Update
Last year we printed a story about the ShoeBox Project, a project to supply shoes and other personal items for children in the Philippines. We’re delighted to say that the shipment was received, and the children say “thank you” to all who participated. Here are a few of the photos that we received in appreciation:
Vanuatu Cyclone Impacts
As you may be aware, in the beginning of March this year, two tropical cyclones have hit the island of Efate Vanuatu in the same week. Many of our brethren sustained damage to their houses and food crops. Help has already been given to assist these brethren getting shelter and food, for which they are most grateful. Now, however, we are appealing for your help as the cyclones have also caused extensive damage to the buildings used by the South…
News from Solomon Islands
With the help of many brethren and sisters around the region, including some from Australia, the work in the Solomon Islands has been progressing. The following was condensed from a report on welfare work written by Br. Thomas Ngunts, a missionary stationed in the Solomons on behalf of the South Pacific Union Mission. Thank the Lord for His loving kindness all through last year, and now we are already into 2023. I just want to write a brief report of…
In Loving Memory of Terezija Stoyko
Eulogy by Michael Stoyko My mother, Terezija Stoyko, was born on the 5th of July 1931 in Borovac, Jugoslavia, now Croatia, the second child of Ana and Josip Ivastinovic. Her oldest brother was Nicola, younger sister, Mara and younger brother, Slavko. Growing up in the village was a life of learning responsibility from a young age. She was always with her older brother Nicola and there to assist him. From five years old onward, she would wake up at 5…
2022 End of Year Programs
The theme for the 2022 Conference was “Uplift, Serve, Proclaim,” based on our AUC mission theme. (You can read about the delegation session here). Starting on Wednesday evening, the conference was held over four days and was attended by people from across the Union, with a few from outside our region as well. A large tent replaced our main hall which was lost to fire in 2019, and this tent was set up in nearly the same spot as the…
Report of the 36th AUC Delegation Session
Delegates of the Australasian Union met on the 26th and 27th of December, for the election of new officers and approval of policies and plans for the next three years. It was voted to continue with the theme, “Uplifting Jesus, Serving People, Proclaiming Truth.” Officers & Special Committees Departments Strategic Plan The strategic plan was approved by the delegates. Some key points are: OUR MISSION: To fulfil the Gospel commission by service to the community, uplifting Jesus and proclaiming the…